This epic begins with a 12 mile singletrack that drops nearly 3000'. Downhillers beware, there are some steep climbs along the way.When you reach Black rock go up the fire road for 6 miles, a forest service map is needed, I forgot mine this day and only brought 2.5 quarts of agua. Continue on the main fire road if in doubt, there are many long climbs and descents , the total vert attained is over 9000'. Reach pavement after 30 miles take a rt after the first houses that are inhabited follow this to a t , left for 3 miles , then a rt on HWY 36 follow this all the way back to Mineral , then retrace the route driving in.The ride took me 6 hours , the singletrack was 2 hours in itself, luckily I had brought clif bars and a power gel, recommend a camel back and 2 water bottles. The singletrack is rarely used after about 2 miles and 40mph is easy to exceed in areas.

Summary:Update on this trail. Many have complained of the poor condition of this trail. The Forest Service has received funding to do major maintenance along the entire length, as erosion and mass wasting is causing watershed and fisheries problems. This will include rerouting in some places to avoid sensitive or slide prone areas and avoiding known archaeological sites. Trail structures such as puncheons, retaining walls, and bridges may be included. Work is scheduled to start in Fall of 2003.

Recommended Route:Update on this trail

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Review DateOctober 28, 2002

Overall Rating 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:Ridden Once

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Reviewed by: Tim Olson
, from San Mateo

Summary:This trail is all rideable if you are Hans Rey. Otherwise you will be getting off and walking quite a bit due to the constant up and down technical nature of it. We did this ride two days ago as a shuttle, leaving one car at the trailhead with the intention of riding to Chico via Ponderosa Way. After a few gross miscalculations of both distance and time, we found ourselves in complete darkness and without adequate food and clothing with another 30+ miles remaining. If you intend to get the best experience riding the Mill Creek trail, find out whenever the Sierra Club does their annual trail maintenance out there and then hit it shortly afterward. The blackberry bushes were quite thick near the end of the trail and necessitated a lot of walking. If you like the feeling of being out in the middle of nowhere then this is your trail. No light pollution = awesome stars at night.

Recommended Route:Start in the town of Mill Creek, ride the gravel road toward Hole in the Ground campground, then you'll see a big sign that says "Mill Creek Trail." Follow the trail down for a fun first few miles, and an increasingly difficult and overgrown ten more miles, all the way to Black Rock, where the trail crosses Ponderosa Way. Our group took 3 hours(!) just to finish the singletrack.

Other recommended trails in the same area:Spencer Meadows loop off highway 36 near Childs meadows (much more bike friendly, faster and fun), but not as remote.

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